Saudi agrees to minimum wage for Philippine maids

MANILA (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to a US$400 (S$492) monthly minimum wage for Filipina maids, a year after a row over the issue halted the entry of such workers, Philippines officials said on Thursday.

Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, who oversees the welfare of Filipino overseas workers, said in a statement that the kingdom had agreed to lift its ban on Filipino workers, imposed in June 2011.

"More than the lifting of the ban, I find the decision of the Saudi government to increase the mandated salary for our household service workers further proof of a shared commitment to protect (their) welfare," he added.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the Philippines, Abdullah Al-Hassan, said an agreement would be forged within a month allowing Filipina maids to be allowed back into his country, without going into details.